Clench-control accessory for head-worn devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for operating a controlled device via an activation accessory of a wearable device that includes a moveable actuator, a sensor, and a communication element. The sensor is coupled to a controller, which has an output coupled to a control signal interface. The controller is programmed to receive and evaluate input signals from the sensor that are responsive to movements of the moveable actuator to determine whether or not they represent a command for the controlled device by assessing the input signals for a signal pattern indicative of a plurality of volitional actions of a wearer of the activation accessory. If/when the processor determines that the input signals represent the command, then it decodes the command and transmits an associated control signal to the controlled device via the control signal interface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a NONPROVISIONAL of, claims priority to, and incorporates byreference U.S Provisional Application Nos. 63/200,086, filed 12 Feb.2021, and 63/260,499, filed 23 Aug. 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for operating acontrolled device using an accessory mounted to or integral with ahead-worn device, such as spectacles, a headset, goggles, or otherhead-worn apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The desire for hands-free operation of controlled devices arises in manycontexts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,903 describes a hands-free,mouth-activated switch disposed within a cup-shaped, rigid portion of apilot's oxygen mask. Among the elements controllable by such a switch isa night vision compatible light. U.S. Patent Application Publication2012/0229248 describes a hands-free controller that monitors facialexpressions of a wearer and other body motions and generates commandsfor a controlled device based on the combination of the facialexpressions and other monitored motions.

Simple head-worn devices such as surgical and outdoor recreationalheadlamps, and more advanced systems, such as virtual reality headsets,have used input means such as tactile buttons and switches, touchactivated control surfaces, and gesturing technologies as means ofcontrolling their operation. All of these input means require a user touse his or her hands to effect input to the device. Advancements inhands-free functionality for such devices have been limited primarily tovoice recognition technologies that have limitations when used in noisyor sound-sensitive environments or eye tracking technologies thatrequire the user to gaze at particular objects in order to be detected,which requires “dwell time,” increasing input latency.

The use of “clench interactions” has been recognized as a viable controltechnique. For example, the present applicant's U.S. PGPUB 2020/0097084,Xu et al., “Clench Interaction: Novel Biting Input Techniques,” Proc.2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2019),May 4-9, 2019, Glasgow, Scotland UK, and Koshnam, E. K. et al.,“Hands-Free EEG-Based Control of a Computer Interface based on OnlineDetection of Clenching of Jaw,” in: Rojas I., Ortuño F. (eds)Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, IWBBIO 2017, pp. 497-507(Apr. 26-28, 2017) all provide examples of such techniques. In Xu etal., the use of bite force interfaces may afford some advantages in someapplications, however, the present invention adopts a different approachinasmuch as it relies on sensors placed outside a user's oral cavity.Such sensors are more suitable for applications where the presence ofsensors inside one's mouth may be uncomfortable or impractical. InKoshnam et al., the EEG sensors were external to the oral cavity, havingbeen placed at temporal sites T7 and T8 on the wearer's head, but therewas no provision for alerting the wearer when a command signal wasrecognized as having been initiated through a jaw clench action.Accordingly, the system was perceived as having excessive lag time inrecognizing and implementing a clench action, which adversely impactedits use as a control element for a remote device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system for operatinga controlled device that includes a module having a sensor and amoveable actuator, the sensor being configured to produce output signalsaccording to a relative position of the actuator (e.g., the actuatoritself or the relative position of the actuator to the sensor) to thesensor, and the module adapted to be worn on a person of a wearer byattachment to a headband of an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality(VR) headset or a temple piece of a pair of spectacles. The moveableactuator may be configured to be displaceable relative to the sensor ina first plane different from a second plane defined by a width of theheadband of an AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair ofspectacles, as applicable. For example, If the headband or temple piece,as applicable, has a width in a vertical plane, the moveable actuatormay be configured to be displaceable relative to the sensor in a planeapproximately horizontal (i.e., approximately orthogonal to the secondplane). By approximately, deviations of up to 5 degrees, or up to tendegrees from orthogonal are contemplated. Alternatively, or in addition,the moveable actuator may be configured to be displaceable relative tothe headband of the AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair ofspectacles, as applicable.

The system further includes a controller coupled to receive the outputsignals from the sensor. The controller includes a processor and amemory coupled thereto, with the memory storing processor-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive and evaluate the output signals of the sensor to determinewhether or not the output signals of the sensor represent a command forthe controlled device by assessing the output signals of the sensor fora signal pattern indicative of one or more volitional actions of thewearer of the module. In various embodiments, the processor-executableinstructions cause the processor to evaluate the output signals from thesensor by evaluating the output signals against a stored library ofcommand signal representations, where each command signal representationof the stored library of command signal representations characterizes anassociated command for the controlled device; according to powerspectral densities output signals from the sensor within specified timeperiods; according to count values of the sensor received within aspecified time period; or against a trained model of command signalrepresentations, where each command signal representation of the modelcharacterizes an associated command for the controlled device. Further,when executed by the processor the processor-executable instructionsfurther cause the processor, when the processor determines that theoutput signals of the sensor represent the command for the controlleddevice, to then decode the command for the controlled device andtransmit a control signal to the controlled device via a communicationelement, or, otherwise, if the processor determines that the outputsignals of the sensor do not represent the command, then not transmitthe control signal and proceed to evaluate further output signals of thesensor. And the system includes the communication elementcommunicatively coupled to receive the control signal from the processorand to transmit the control signal to the controlled device. Thecontrolled device may be the AR or VR headset or spectacles on which themodule is mounted or a different controlled device. And, the system mayalso include a vibration motor communicably coupled to receive anactivation signal from the processor, wherein the processor-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, further cause theprocessor to transmit the activation signal when the processordetermines that the output signals of the sensor represent the commandfor the controlled device.

Further embodiments of the invention include systems and methods foroperating a controlled device via an activation accessory attached to orintegral with a head-worn wearable device. The activation accessoryincludes a moveable actuator having a range of travel between a fullyextended position and fully compressed position, a sensor, and acommunication element. The sensor is coupled to a controller, which hasan output coupled to a control signal interface. The controller isprogrammed to receive and evaluate input signals from the sensor thatare responsive to movements of the moveable actuator to determinewhether or not they represent a command for the controlled device byassessing the input signals for a signal pattern indicative of aplurality of volitional actions (e.g., jaw clenches) of a wearer of thewearable device. If/when the processor determines that the input signalsrepresent the command, then it decodes the command and transmits anassociated control signal to the controlled device via the controlsignal interface.

In one example, the activation accessory includes a Hall effect sensor,and a magnet is positioned on the moveable actuator so that it causesthe Hall effect sensor to output signals to the controller due tomovements of the moveable actuator. The controller includes a processorand a memory coupled thereto which stores processor-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive and evaluate input signals from the Hall effect sensor. Inparticular, the controller evaluates the input signals to determinewhether or not they represent a command for the controlled device byassessing the input signals for a signal pattern indicative of any of aplurality of such commands. If/when the processor determines that theinput signals represent one of the plurality of commands, then itdecodes the respective command and transmits an associated controlsignal to the controlled device via the control signal interface. Thecontroller may also provide feedback to the wearer by providing anactivation signal to a vibration motor. On the other hand, if theprocessor determines that the input signals from the sensor do notrepresent a command, no control signal or activation signal istransmitted and the processor proceeds to evaluate further/new inputsignals from the Hall effect sensor in a like manner as the originalinput signals.

A communication element, which may be a part of the activation accessoryor otherwise included/integrated in the wearable device, is coupled tothe control signal interface and is adapted to transmit the controlsignal from the processor to the controlled device. For example, thecommunication element may be a cable having a plug configured to matewith a jack at the controlled device, or a transmitter adapted for radiofrequency communication with a receiver at the controlled device.

In various embodiments, the moveable actuator may be supported in or bya mount on the wearable device, such as a temple piece or the frame ofeyewear (e.g., glasses, goggles, AR/VR headset, etc.), a headset, oranother arrangement. For example, the moveable actuator may be moveablewith respect to a temple piece or frame of the eyewear, or a frame of aheadset, so as to permit operation of the activation accessory atdifferent positions on the wearer. In one example, the moveable actuatorof the actuation accessory may be positioned on the moveable device sothat when the moveable device is being worn the moveable actuatortouches the skin of the wearer overlying an area of the wearer'stemporalis muscle, or the tendon which inserts onto the coronoid processof the mandible, or masseter muscle. The temporalis muscle and massetermuscle can generally be felt contracting while the jaw is clenching andunclenching, and it is such clench actions which, by virtue of theresulting movement of the moveable actuator, can cause the sensor tooutput signals to the controller.

In some cases, the moveable actuator of the activation accessory may besupported in a helmet or mask (e.g., a helmet or mask used by afirefighter, a diver, an aircrew member, or another wearer), where themask is configured to position the moveable actuator so as to beoverlying an area of the wearer's temporalis or masseter muscle.Alternatively, the entire activation accessory may be included in amodule having an adhesive applied to a surface thereof to enable amodule encasing the activation accessory to be worn directly on the faceor head of the wearer. Such an adhesive may, in one case, be in the formof a removeable film adhered to the surface of the module that enclosesthe activation accessory.

The activation accessory may include more than one Hall effect sensor,and/or sensors of different types, with the multiple sensors arrangedwith respect to one another so as to permit individual and/or groupactivation thereof by associated volitional jaw clench (or other muscleactivity) actions of the wearer. Further, in addition to a vibrationalmotor, a visual activation indicator may be present. Such a visualactivation indicator (e.g., an LED) may be coupled to receive a visualactivation indication signal from the controller and theprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, mayfurther cause the processor to perform transmit the visual activationindication signal to the visual activation indicator if/when theprocessor determines that input signals from one or more of the sensorsrepresent a command for the controlled device.

When assessing the input signals from a Hall effect sensor or othersensor for the signal pattern indicative of a command for the controlleddevice, the processor may evaluate the input signals against a storedlibrary of command signal representations, where each command signalrepresentation characterizes an associated command for the controlleddevice. Alternatively, or in addition, the input signals may be assessedaccording to respective power spectral densities thereof withinspecified time periods. Or the input signals may be assessed accordingto count values of the Hall effect sensor(s) received within a specifiedtime period. Still further, the input signals may be evaluated against atrained model of command signal representations, where each commandsignal representation characterizes an associated command for thecontrolled device.

These and still more embodiments of the invention are described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and notlimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an activation accessory for acontrolled device configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate examples of devices operated under the control ofan activation accessory configured in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various examples of moveable actuator and sensorarrangements for activation accessories configured in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fiber optic compression sensors foruse with an activation accessory for a controlled device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an activation accessory having a filmof adhesive on one surface for attachment to a wearer in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of an activation accessory secured in atemple piece of eyewear in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an activation accessory for acontrolled device configured with multiple sensors, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an input signal received by a processorof a wearable module from sensor of the wearable module in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of operating a controlled device in ahands-free manner through volitional jaw clench actions of a wearer inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10, 11A-11B and 12 illustrate various examples of head-wornaccessory module arrangements configured in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention and used to control headlamps.

FIG. 13 illustrates an examples of a head-worn accessory modulearrangement configured in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention and used to control an AR/VR headset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems and methods for switched operation, in manycases hands-free operation, of controlled devices, for exampleillumination systems, push-to-talk (PTT) systems, computer userinterface cursors and other user interface elements, and other devices.In the following description the terms activation accessory, accessorymodule, wearable module, and wearable electronic controller are usedinterchangeably to refer to an apparatus having one or more sensors thatare responsive to various movements of a wearer, such as clenching ofthe jaw, as further described below. The apparatus may further have aprogrammable unit (e.g., a processor, controller, or similar device)that is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors to receiveelectrical or optical signals provided by the sensors and determinewhether or not those signals correspond to commands intended for one ormore controlled devices. In other instances, the programmable unit maybe a separate unit included or integrated with a wearable device such asspectacles, a headband, a headset, a helmet, or other device. And theapparatus may further have a communication component usable by theprogrammable unit to relay commands to the one or more controlleddevices when the programmable unit determines that one or more signalsfrom the sensors correspond to commands intended for the one or morecontrolled devices, or, alternatively, the communication component maybe included or integrated with the wearable device and may, in somecases, be integral with the programmable unit. Reference to one or some,or various embodiments of the invention or the like, should not be readas excluding the described features and components from other orseparately described embodiments of the invention unless otherwiseindicated.

One embodiment of the invention, examples of which are illustrated inFIGS. 10-13 , is an accessory module 1000 that can be attached to anelastic or other (e.g., rigid) headband 1200 used to secure a headlamp,e.g., a recreational headlamp 1400 or surgical headlamp 1600, or virtualreality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headset 1800 to a user's head. Inother embodiments, the module may be attached to a temple piece of apair of spectacles (e.g., AR/VR spectacles or regular spectacles). Asexplained in greater detail below the module 1000 includes, among otherthings, a sensor and a moveable actuator, the sensor being configured toproduce output signals according to a relative position of the actuator(e.g., according to a relative position of the actuator itself oraccording to a relative position of the actuator to the sensor). Themoveable actuator may be configured to be displaceable relative to thesensor in a first plane different from a second plane defined by a widthof the headband of an AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pairof spectacles, as applicable. For example, If the headband or templepiece, as applicable, has a width in an approximately vertical plane(when worn by the wearer), the moveable actuator may be configured to bedisplaceable relative to the sensor in an approximately horizontal plane(i.e., a first plane approximately orthogonal to the second plane). Byapproximately, deviations of up to 5 degrees, or up to ten degrees fromorthogonal are contemplated. Another way of envisioning this is that ifone considers the second plane the be approximately parallel to aportion of the wearer's head in a location proximate to the module whenworn by the wearer, then the first plane may be approximately parallelto the floor or ground on which the wearer is standing. By having theapproximately orthogonal relationship of the plane of movement of themoveable actuator and the plane of the width of the headband or templepiece, the usability of the module is improved over that which it mightotherwise be as the expected range of motion through which the actuatorcan be expected to travel will be at its greatest extent. This will helpin detecting volitional movements of the wearer that are intended ascommand inputs for the controlled device. Preferably, the module mountson an interior of the headband of the AR or VR headset or the templepiece of the pair of spectacles, as applicable, so as to be adjacent thewearer's skin when worn on the person of the wearer. That is, the modulemounts so that the moveable actuator is adjacent the wearer's skin whenworn on the person of the wearer. In some cases, portions of the modulemay be on the outside of the headband or temple piece or the module maybe arranged so that is forms an integral part of the headband or templepiece, as applicable. Alternatively or in addition, the moveableactuator may be configured to be displaceable relative to the headbandof the AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair of spectacles,as applicable.

In some embodiments, the module 1000 can be moved along the headband1200 (or temple piece, as applicable) to contact the wearer's temple ormoved to another more suitable and clench-detectible area when thedevice is worn. From this position on the user, sensors (e.g., EMGand/or Hall Effect sensors) included in module 1000 can be tuned todetect certain facial movements such as clenching of the jaw, whichmovement is then converted into an electrical signal that is sent to acontrol unit to be processed. Once processed and determined to be acommand signal, certain functions are enabled such as activating anddeactivating and changing the brightness of a light emitting diode (LED)in the case of a headlamp or controlling a host of system functions inthe case of a virtual reality headset. When combined or integrated withgyroscopic and accelerometer sensors, eye tracking sensors, or othermovement sensing technologies in the virtual environment, hands-freecontrol capabilities analogous to the “point and click” operationsfacilitated by a peripheral mouse, trackpad, or joystick connected to apersonal computer can be achieved (e.g., different numbers ofactivations similar to single-, double- or other mouse clicks, cursormovements, etc.). Different command activation sequences may be used forzooming a camera, panning a direction in a virtual/visual environment,or a host of other commands to control cameras, audio transmissions(volume up or down), etc.

Additional and/or other functions for such devices may also becontrolled, such as changing the volume of audio communications ormusic, activating push-to-talk feature on a radio, or answering a phonecall. A distinct “clench language” may be programmed to control certainfunctions using specific clench sequences or patterns.

Additional sensors such as for wearer vital signs monitoring may also beintegrated into the module to provide remote biomonitoring of thewearer, as the temple area has been proven to be an effective locationfor sensing certain vital signs.

The accessory module may be integrated into headbands, permanentlyattached as an accessory, or adjustably attached using adhesive tape,glue, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, screws, or a tongue and grooveor dovetail profile connection mechanism. A buckle design could also beused, allowing the module to be repositioned by sliding it forward orbackwards along the strap.

The accessory module may be placed onto a helmet retention head strap(e.g., those found in a construction hard hat or combat helmet) forremotely controlling devices that are attached to the helmet or locatedelsewhere.

The sensor signal may be routed through a powered cable/tether or via awireless connection such as Bluetooth™ or Near Field Magnetic Induction.This may wirelessly connect the accessory module to controlled devicessuch as headlamps and virtual reality headsets.

The accessory module may also provide haptic feedback to the user asnotification of the status of controlled systems or to signal thedetection of clench inputs.

One or more of the above-described embodiments may include provision ofa redundant control button on the accessory module or located in anotherlocation on the device that allows the user to bypass clench or otherfacial movement actuation and control each device using a finger.

One or more of the above-described embodiments may permit signalgeneration via a control surface that can be activated by direct orindirect force, hinged paddle, touch-sensitive surface, or other tactileactuation device. Devices configured in accordance with theseembodiments may employ moveable structures (e.g., hinged frame pieces,paddles or other actuators) that house Hall Effect sensors to detect achange in an electromagnetic field when a corresponding magnet is movedin proximity to a sensor. Such devices may be in the form of anaccessory or fully integrated into a wearable form factor such asheadlamps and virtual reality headsets.

By providing a single sensing module or left-side and right-side modules(or any number of them arranged at various locations on the user) a moreaccurate detection of clenching or specific facial movements may beachieved. A calibration mode may also be provided to best tailor thedetection envelope of the sensor specifically for an individual user.

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for operating acontrolled device, such as an illumination element having one or moreLEDs, an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) headset orspectacles, a camera or other imaging device, a cursor of a personalcomputer user interface, a mobile phone, a PTT adapter for a two-wayradio, or a two-way radio itself. In one example, an activationaccessory for a controlled device includes a vibration motor, a wearablemodule including a Hall effect sensor, EMG sensor, and/or other sensor,and a communication element. The wearable module includes a sensor thatis communicably coupled to a controller, which has a first outputcoupled to a control signal interface and a second output coupled to thevibration motor. The controller includes a processor and a memorycoupled thereto and which stores processor-executable instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive andevaluate input signals from the sensor. In particular, the controllerevaluates the input signals to determine whether or not they represent acommand for the controlled device by assessing the input signals for asignal pattern indicative of a plurality of volitional actions of awearer of the wearable module. If/when the processor determines that theinput signals represent the command, then it decodes the command andtransmits an associated control signal to the controlled device via thecontrol signal interface. An optional activation signal may betransmitted to the vibration motor. On the other hand, if the processordetermines that the input signals do not represent the command, nocontrol signal or activation signal is transmitted and the processorproceeds to evaluate further/new input signals from the sensor in a likemanner as the original input signals. The communication element iscoupled to the control signal interface and is adapted to transmit thecontrol signal from the processor to the controlled device. For example,the communication element may be a cable having a plug configured tomate with a jack at the controlled device, or a transmitter adapted forradio frequency communication with a receiver at the controlled device.Depending on the implementation, the activation signal for the vibrationmotor may be a pulse width modulated signal.

In various embodiments, the wearable module may be supported in a mounton a headband, or another arrangement. For example, such a mount may bemoveable with respect to the headband so as to permit locating thewearable module at different positions on the wearer. More generally,such a mount may be configured to position the wearable module so as tobe overlying an area of the wearer's temple (temporalis muscle),forehead, or other area/muscle. Alternatively, the wearable module mayhave an adhesive applied to a surface thereof to enable the wearablemodule to be worn on the face or head of the wearer. Such an adhesivemay, in one case, be in the form of a removeable film adhered to thesurface of the wearable module.

The wearable module may include more than one sensor, with the multiplesensors arranged with respect to one another so as to permit individualand/or group activation thereof by associated volitional actions of thewearer. Further, in addition to the vibrational motor, a visualactivation indicator may be present. Such a visual activation indicator(e.g., an LED) may be coupled to receive a visual activation indicationsignal from the controller and the processor-executable instructions,when executed by the processor, may further cause the processor totransmit the visual activation indication signal to the visualactivation indicator if/when the processor determines that the sensorinput signals represent a command for the controlled device.

When assessing the input signals from the sensor for signal patternsindicative of a plurality of volitional actions of the wearer (that is,a command for a controlled device rather than noise due to incidentalmovement of the wearer), the processor may evaluate the input signalsagainst a stored library of command signal representations, where eachcommand signal representation characterizes an associated command forthe controlled device. Alternatively, or in addition, the input signalsmay be assessed according to respective power spectral densities thereofwithin specified time periods. Or the input signals may be assessedaccording to count values of the sensor(s) received within a specifiedtime period. Still further, the input signals may be evaluated against atrained model of command signal representations, where each commandsignal representation characterizes an associated command for thecontrolled device.

Systems and methods for hands-free operation of controlled devices, forexample illumination systems, PTT systems, AR/VR systems, and otherdevices in accordance with embodiments of the invention arecharacterized, in part, by employing a switch element, e.g., a Halleffect sensor, EMG sensor, or similar senor that is positioned on ornear the temple or forehead of a user, so that clenching/flexing of thejaw, movement of the eyebrow, or other facial movement activates theswitch. In one embodiment, the switch element is employed in combinationwith a headlamp, PTT system, AR/VR system, or other controlled element.The headband positions the switch element so that it overlies an area ofthe wearer's temple (temporalis muscle), forehead, or other muscle sothat clenching/flexing of the wearer's jaw, raising/lowering an eyebrow,or other volitional movement activates the switch, thereby allowing forhand-free operation of the controlled device. Other embodiments of theinvention make use of the switch element as part of other head-wornillumination, imaging, and/or communication systems. In some instances,the switch element may be positioned in locations other than over thewearer's temple or forehead, allowing activation/deactivation by meansof muscles associated with a wearer's eyebrow, etc.

As used herein, when referencing an area of a wearer's face overlyingthe temple, I mean that the wearable module or a wearable electroniccontroller has one or more active control surfaces (e.g., Hall effectsensors, electromyography (EMG) sensors, piezo switches, etc.)positioned to contact the right (and/or) left side of the wearer's facetypically above and to the outside of the eyeline. However, it may alsoencompass the area of a wearer's forehead. The active control surfacesare configured to detect a relaxed condition and a flexed condition ofthe wearer's temple or forehead (see, e.g., FIG. 8 ), thereby allowingthe wearer to generate input signals for controlling electronic systemcomponents via temple (temporalis muscle), eyebrow, etc. manipulation.The wearable module or a wearable electronic controller is adjustable interms of the positioning of one or more of the active control surfaceswithin the area(s) overlying the temple or forehead and means foradjusting the contact pressure of the active control surfaces againstthe wearer's face (e.g., springs, hinges, etc.) may be provided. Thewearable module may be constructed to house one or more of theelectronic system components (e.g., lights, cameras, displays, laserpointers, a haptic engine in the form of a vibration motor, etc.) thatis being controlled by temple, eyebrow, or other manipulation.

When the wearable module or a wearable electronic controller is worn sothat, for example, an actuator thereof is positioned so as to overliethe wearer's temporalis muscle so as to be responsive to jaw clenches orother jaw movements of the wearer, hands free activation, deactivation,and/or operation of one or more controlled devices is possible. Forexample, to activate, deactivate, and/or operate a controlled devicethat is communicably coupled to the activation accessory, e.g., via thecommunication element, the wearer of the wearable device can perform oneor more jaw clench actions. By clenching and unclenching his/her jaw,the wearer's temporalis muscle will be engaged and will expand andcontract in the region of the wearer's temple. Because the actuator ofthe wearable module or a wearable electronic controller is positioned soas to overlie the wearer's temporalis muscle in the region of thewearer's temple, when the wearer's temporalis muscle expands andcontracts in accordance with the wearer's jaw clench actions, theactuator, which presses on the skin of the wearer in the temple region,is moved. In one example, a jaw clench or movement causes the actuatorto move laterally with respect to the wearer and a jaw unclenching orother movement causes the moveable actuator to move medially withrespect to the wearer. Other motions of the actuator, such as rotations,may also be invoked through muscle movement. As described below, thesemovements of the moveable actuator are registered by a sensor associatedwith the wearable module or a wearable electronic controller andrecognized as commands for the controlled device. Once so recognized,the commands are issued to the controlled device via the communicationelement. For the remainder of the discussion, jaw clenching andunclenching will be described, however, other movements of the jaw, forexample lateral-medial movements, are contemplated for actuation of anactuator. Lateral-medial movements, clenching and unclenching, and otherjaw movements that result in flexing and relaxing of a wearer'stemporalis muscle are contemplated and are generally referred to hereinas volitional movements. Similarly, for actuators positioned overlyingother muscles of a wearer, a variety of volitional movements may be usedto manipulate the actuator of a wearable module or a wearable electroniccontroller configured in accordance with the present invention.

In addition to this form of hands-free operation of the controlleddevice, the same wearable module or a wearable electronic controller canbe used to activate, deactivate, and/or control the controlled devicevia touch actions of the wearer. For example, considering the samewearable module or a wearable electronic controller with an actuatorpositioned so as to overlie the wearer's temporalis muscle in the regionof the wearer's temple as in the above example, the wearer may cause thewearable module or a wearable electronic controller to move with respectto its associated sensor by touching/pressing the wearable module or awearable electronic controller instead of (or in addition to) byclenching/unclenching his/her jaw. If say the wearable module or awearable electronic controller were eyewear and the actuator werepositioned along one of the temple pieces of the eyewear so as tocontact the wearer's skin in the region of the wearer's temple, thenwhen the wearer pressed the temple piece of the eyewear towards his/herhead (i.e., moved the temple piece medially towards his/her head), theactuator would move with respect to its sensor and cause the sensor toproduce a signal just as if the actuator had moved responsive to a jawclench. And, when the wearer released the temple piece of the eyewearand the temple piece of the eyewear moved laterally away from thewearer's head, the actuator would return to its original position withrespect to the sensor, still touching the wearer's skin in the region ofthe wearer's temple, but now extended from the position it was in whenthe wearer was pressing on the temple piece. This touch/pressresponsiveness of the wearable module or a wearable electroniccontroller in addition to its responsiveness to hand-free actions of thewearer provides a very versatile set of operating characteristics for anactivation accessory of a wearable device and a wide range of potentialoperating commands for controlled devices could be made up of successivehands-free/touch-press actions of a wearer.

As noted, in embodiments of the invention a sensor or multiple sensorsof an activation accessory is/are responsive to movements of anactuator. One such sensor is a Hall effect sensor that is responsive tomovements of a magnet (e.g., a magnet disposed in an actuator that ismoveable with respect to the Hall effect sensor). Other sensors could beused and several examples are discussed below. The sensor iscommunicably coupled to a controller of the activation accessory (oranother controller that is included in the wearable device), and thecontroller has an output coupled to a control signal interface.Generally, the controller may include a processor and a memory coupledto the processor, which memory stores processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to performvarious operations. For example, the stored processor-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor toreceive, from the one or more sensors, input signals that are producedas outputs of the sensor(s) responsive to movements of the actuator. Theinstructions may cause the processor further to evaluate the inputsignals to determine whether or not the input signals represent acommand for said controlled device. Since the activation accessory ispart of or attached to a wearable device, it is conceivable that somemotion of the actuator, and, hence, some signals output by the sensor(s)to the processor of the controller, may be associated with movements ofthe wearer and/or the wearable device that are not intended as movementsrepresenting commands for the controlled device. An example might be thewearer talking or eating. Such actions can be expected to cause thewearer's temporalis muscle to expand and contract, thereby causing anactuator positioned so as to be overlying the wearer's temporalis musclein the region of the wearer's temple to move. This movement of theactuator would, in turn, cause the associated sensor(s) to produceoutput signals to the processor of the controller, but those signalsshould not cause the processor to issue commands to the controlleddevice because the wearer's movements were not intended to beinterpreted as such commands. To address this situation and mitigate theeffect of such movements of the wearer vis-à-vis commands issued to thecontrolled device, a filtering and/or analysis process may be used bythe controller to distinguish volitional actions of the wearer that areintended as commands from those which are not.

Examples of the filtering and analysis process may include such thingsas band-pass filtering of the signals output by the sensor(s) so as toprevent high and/or low frequency signals, associated with high and/orlow speed movements of the actuator, from being interpreted as signalsassociated with commands. Signals of a relatively high frequency may beregarded as being associated with rapid movements of the actuator, whichmay be indicative of movements of the wearer's jaw or other muscle(s)when engaged in activities not associated with issuing commands for acontrolled device (e.g., eating, talking, etc.). Similarly, relativelylow frequency signals may be regarded as being associated withrelatively slow movements of the actuator, which may be indicative ofmovements of the wearer's jaw or other muscle(s) when engaged inactivities not associated with issuing commands for a controlled device(e.g., stretching). By filtering out such relatively high and/or lowfrequency signals before they are provided to the processor of thecontroller for analysis (or by filtering of such relatively high and/orlow frequency signals by the processor as a first step in any analysis),the present invention can avoid the issue of unintended commands to thecontrolled device.

Other actions in place of or in addition to this kind of filtering canbe employed. For example, a microphone could be used in conjunction withthe activation accessory (or as part thereof) and signals produced bythe microphone when the wearer of the activation accessory is speakingprovided to the processor. The stored processor-executable instructions,when executed by the processor, may be such that the processor, uponrecognizing that the wearer is speaking, may ignore signals from thesensor(s) associated with the actuator as any such signals are likely tobe the result of movement of the wearer's temporalis muscle (and, hence,the actuator) due to such speaking and not the result of the wearerissuing a command for the controlled device. Of course, the processorcould be programmed so as to search for special signal patterns thatindicate command sequences even when speaking is detected so that theactivation accessory can be used to activate, deactivate, and/or controla controlled device even when the wearer is engaged in a conversation.

Further, and as discussed in greater detail below, the storedprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, maycause the processor to assess the input signals from the sensor(s) forone or more signal patterns indicative of a command for a controlleddevice, for example, by comparing time domain, frequency domain, orother representations of such signals to a stored library of commandsignal representations. By digitizing and then transforming receivedinput signals from the sensor(s) using a Fast Fourier Transformalgorithm or wavelet transform algorithm, for example, the processor maycompare patterns of received input signals to stored replicas of knowncommand clench and/or touch/press operations of the activation accessoryand issue commands to the controlled device accordingly.

If the processor determines that the input signals from the sensor(s)represent a command for the controlled device, then the storedprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, maycause the processor to decode the command and, subsequently, transmit anassociated control signal to the control signal interface. Otherwise, ifthe processor determines that the input signals from the sensor(s) donot represent a command for the controlled device, then the storedprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, willcause the processor to not transmit such a control signal and instead toproceed to evaluate further or new input signals from the sensor.

The communication element, which may be part of the activation accessoryor another component of the wearable device, is coupled to the controlsignal interface and is adapted to transmit control signals from theprocessor to the controlled device. For example, the communicationelement may be a simple a cable having a plug configured to mate with ajack at the controlled device. Or the communication element may be atransmitter adapted for radio frequency communication with a receiver atthe controlled device. Any of several kinds of radio frequencycommunications may be used, for example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE), Zigbee, infrared, WiFi HaLow (IEEE 802.22h), Z-wave, Thread,SigFox, Dash7, or other form of radio frequency communication.

As noted, the activation accessory may be integrated into or attached toa wearable device such that when the wearable device is worn on a personthe actuator of the activation accessory is touching the person at anarea overlying the person's temporalis or other muscle. Such a wearabledevice may be a headband or a headset, in which case the actuator ispreferably moveable with respect to a portion of the headband/headset,eyewear, in which case the moveable actuator may be supported in atemple piece or a frame of the eyewear, or other device, garment,module, or accessory, as described herein.

In further embodiments, the present invention provides a wearable sensormodule configured to detect muscle movement of a wearer and to controlan electronic device (e.g., an illumination element, AR/VR headset,etc.). In some cases, the electronic device may be a wearable devicethat incorporates or includes the wearable sensor module or to which thewearable sensor module is attached. In other cases, it may be a deviceremote from the wearable sensor module.

The wearable sensor module has a moveable control portion and adetection portion. The moveable control portion has a defined range oftravel in relation to the detection portion between a fully extendedposition and a fully seated position. In some instances, the moveablecontrol portion may be biased (e.g., by a spring, hinge, or otherarrangement) so as to maintain its fully extended position untilcompressed towards its fully seated position by an outside force. Whenworn, the wearable sensor module contacts the wearer so that themoveable control portion partially compresses. This partial compressionresults in the detection portion producing an initial signal; forexample, upon the wearer donning the wearable sensor module, thedetection portion may produce the initial input signal as a result ofmovement (compression) of the moveable control portion when coming intocontact with the wearer's body in a region overlying the wearer'stemporalis muscle (e.g., at or near the wearer's temple). The initialsignal may cause the wearable sensor module to wake from a sleep orinactive state so that subsequent movements of the moveable controlportion caused by flexing and relaxing of the wearer's muscle(s) overwhich the sensor module is positioned cause the sensor to producefurther signals that, when recognized by a controller of the wearablesensor module or the wearable device in which it is instantiated or towhich it is attached, result in commands for controlling the electronicdevice to be generated.

The detection portion of the wearable sensor module is preferablyconfigured to detect varying degrees of movement of the moveable controlportion, which varying degrees of movement result in commands forcontrolling the electronic device to be generated. That is, it isrecognized that the wearable device in which the wearable sensor moduleis instantiated or to which it is attached may be worn by differentindividuals, some or all of which may have heads of different shapes andsizes. So, the moveable control portion of the wearable sensor modulemay be actuated to different degrees by the different wearers. Thedetection portion is arranged and situated with respect to the moveablecontrol portion so as to be responsive to these different degrees ofactuation of the moveable control portion, e.g., different lengths oftravel or movement thereof due to jaw clenching or other musclemovement.

As mentioned, when the moveable control portion is not experiencing anyexternal forces acting upon it, it is biased open from the detectionportion, e.g., by a hinge or layer of over-molded elastic polymer thatprovides spring-like bias. Then, when the moveable control portioncontacts the wearer, e.g., being donned by the wearer, it is partiallycompressed along its length of travel with respect to the detectionportion. This may happen, for example, when the moveable control portioncontacts an area of the wearer's head or face overlaying the temporalisor other muscle.

The detection portion of the wearable sensor module may be removablyattached or slidably attached to the wearable electronic device. Suchconfigurations may allow for replacement of broken or damaged detectionportions. Alternatively, the detection portion may be integrated as partof the wearable electronic device or of the wearable device to which thewearable electronic device is attached. And, as described above, inputactuations of the moveable control portion may be generated both in ahand-free manner and/or manually by tapping or pressing the wearableelectronic device to cause the moveable control portion to compressagainst or extend away from an area of the body over which the wearablesensor module is positioned. The wearable sensor module is thusconfigured to detect the movement of the moveable control portion ashaving been affected by tapping or pressing on the medial or lateralside of the wearable electronic device when the wearable electronicdevice is being worn.

In still further embodiments, the present invention provides a wearablesensor module configured to detect muscle movement and to control anelectronic wearable device while attached thereto. The wearable sensormodule has a moveable control portion, movement of which may be effectedby a wearer of the electronic wearable device flexing and/or relaxinghis/her temporalis and/or other muscle, and a detection portion, whichmay be attached to the wearable electronic device by an adjustablemounting interface. The moveable control portion has a defined range oftravel in relation to the detection portion, between a fully extendedposition (in which the moveable control portion is biased when not actedupon by any external forces) and a fully seated position. Accordingly,the moveable control portion maintains its fully extended position withrespect to the detection portion unless or until compressed towards itsfully seated position by an outside force. When worn by a wearer, thewearable sensor module contacts the wearer so that the moveable controlportion partially compresses, establishing an initial signal by thedetection portion, for example upon the wearer donning the wearablesensor module. The initial signal and subsequent outputs of thedetection portion being effected by movement of the moveable controlportion caused by coming into contact with the person of the wearer andthereafter flexing and relaxing of muscles associated with volitionaljaw movements of the wearer. The initial signal established as a resultof partial compressing of the moveable control portion when the wearerdons the wearable sensor module is generated at a point at which themoveable control portion is positioned at location between its fullyextended position and fully seated position so as to provide forsubsequent adequate movement of the moveable control portion withrespect to the detection portion in order to generate commands for acontrolled device upon the position of the moveable control portionbeing affected by volitional jaw movements of the wearer.

Activation elements of wearable devices configured in accordance withembodiments of the present invention may be employed in combination witheyewear (e.g., eyeglasses, goggles, AR/VR headsets, etc.), headsets,masks, garments, accessories, or other head/face-worn articles used in avariety of contexts, including military, law enforcement, health care,and others (e.g., consumer). The head/face-worn article positions themoveable actuator of the activation element so that it overlies an areaof the wearer's temporalis or other muscle so that clenching/flexing ofthe wearer's jaw moves the moveable actuator with respect to the sensor,thereby allowing for hand-free operation of the controlled device. Otherembodiments of the invention make use of the moveable actuator as partof other head-worn articles, including but not limited to illumination,imaging, and/or communication systems. In some instances, the moveableactuator may be positioned in locations other than over the wearer'stemporalis muscle, allowing activation/deactivation/operation ofcontrolled devices by means of muscles associated with a wearer'seyebrow, jaw, or other body part.

As used herein, when referencing an area of a wearer's head or faceoverlying the temporalis muscle, it means that moveable actuator ispositioned to contact the right or left side of the wearer's head orface within an area generally behind the eye and forward of the ear,near an area where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bonesof the skull fuse. In other cases, for example where the moveableactuator is positioned by a headset or similar arrangement, it may bepositioned above and perhaps forward of the wearer's ear. The moveableactuator is responsive to a relaxed condition and a flexed condition ofthe wearer's jaw, that is, it is moveable with respect to the sensorresponsive to the user clenching and unclenching his/her jaw, therebyallowing the wearer to generate input signals for operating, activating,and/or deactivating controlled devices, such as electronic systemcomponents, via such clench actions. Note that while much of thediscussion herein refers to actions of a wearer's jaw, such asclenching/unclenching, activation elements configured in accordance withembodiments of the present invention may be employed in connection withother volitional acts of a user moving his/her muscles. Also, while jawclenches/unclenches are a preferred form of manipulation of a moveableactuator, hand/finger presses can also be used. For example, in the caseof an activation element mounted on eyewear or a headset, a hand/fingerpress on the outside of the eyewear temple piece or earphone cup maycause the moveable actuator to move with respect to the sensor of theactivation element, resulting in signals being provided from the sensorto the controller of the activation element foroperation/activation/deactivation of the controlled device.

The support for the activation element may be adjustable in terms of thepositioning of moveable actuator so that it overlies a portion of thewearer's temporal muscle. Further, the moveable actuator may be arrangedso as to be at its fully extended position when the activation elementis not being worn. For example, the moveable actuator may include aspring or hinge that is biased so as to be extended or open when theactivation element is not being worn. Then, when a user dons theactivation element, e.g., by putting on eyewear or a headset thatincludes the activation element, the moveable actuator may be partiallycompressed or moved, e.g., by contacting the wearer's head or face, to asemi-closed position between its fully extended position and fullycompressed position. This movement of the activation element withrespect to the sensor may cause the sensor to issue an output signalwhich the controller may interpret as a wake-from-sleep or similarcommand to begin sampling the sensor output for possible controlleddevice command signals.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an example of an activation accessory 10 (which isan example of an accessory module 1000 shown in FIGS. 10-13 ) for acontrolled device is shown. In some embodiments, the controlled devicemay be a wearable device in which the activation accessory isincorporated or attached to. In other cases, the controlled device maybe remote from the activation accessory. The activation accessory 10includes a vibration motor 12, a module 14 that includes a moveableactuator 8, a sensor (e.g., a Hall effect or other sensor) 16, and acontroller 18. Sensor 16 is responsive to movements of the moveableactuator 8 (e.g., one or more magnets included in or on the moveableactuator 8) and is communicably coupled to controller 18 through ananalog-to-digital converter 20, which converts the analog output of thesensor 16 to a digital signal that is provided as an input to aprocessor 22 of the controller. Processor 22, in turn, has outputscoupled to a control signal interface 24 and the vibration motor 12.

Examples of moveable actuators and sensors are further illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3D. In FIG. 10A, the moveable actuator 8 is a lever arm that isbiased open with respect to sensor 16 by a spring 9 so as to be extendedor open when the activation element is not being worn. When moveableactuator 8 is displaced so that magnet 5 is in the vicinity of sensor 16(which may be a Hall effect sensor), sensor 16 produces an outputsignal. In FIG. 10B, the moveable actuator 8 is an over molded elastomermember that is supported on a pliable gasket or similar joint 11 and thesensor 16 is an optical sensor that produces an output signal responsiveto movements of the moveable actuator 8 towards and/or away from thesensor. In FIG. 10C, the moveable actuator 8 is biased in an openposition with respect to sensor 16 by one or more springs 13. When actedon by a force (e.g., a muscle movement due to a jaw clench or atouch/press), the moveable actuator 8 moves towards the sensor 16,causing the U-shaped leaf 15, which may be made of spring steel oranother conductive material) to contact sensor 16, resulting in sensor16 producing an output signal. The sensor 16 may be force-sensitive sothat the magnitude of the output signal is responsive to the pressureexerted upon it by the U-shaped leaf 15; thus, an initial pressure dueto a wearer donning the wearable module or a wearable device in which itis included or attached may cause the sensor 16 to output a signal of amagnitude indicative of a wake signal, while subsequent pressures due tojaw clench actions and/or touch/press actions of the wearer may causethe moveable actuator 8 to further compress the U-shaped leaf 15,resulting in greater pressure on sensor 16 and causing sensor 16 tooutput signals of a magnitude indicative of control inputs for thecontrolled device. FIG. 10D illustrates the moveable actuator 8 as alever arm that is biased open with respect to sensor 16 by a livinghinge 17 so as to be extended or open when the activation element is notbeing worn.

As shown in FIG. 4 , other sensors 16 that can be used include fiberoptic compression sensors 7 in which the illuminance of photonicallyenergized (e.g., by an LED 15) fiber optic cable 9 as detected by aphotosensor 11 is varied according to the compression of a sleeve orother attenuator 13 surrounding or enclosing the fiber optic cable(e.g., by the action of a moveable actuator 8 responsive to jaw clenchor other muscle movements of a wearer). Photosensor output is analyzedand processed as an input command for controlling electronic devices inthe manner described herein. Such a sensor/controller arrangement isvery lightweight and unobtrusive, requires no electronic components (andso is highly rugged/waterproof), features low-compute signal processing,provides variable input and is very low cost. The sensor's actuator canbe placed away from the light source and photosensor expanding designflexibility. The sensor/controller could be positioned on eyewear andactuated by the temporalis muscle via jaw clenching to controlelectronic devices or positioned over other areas of the body to providehands-free input by detecting movement. For example, one or more sensorscould be attached to a glove and positioned over one or more knucklebones in order to detect grasping/clenching. As the glove tightens overthe knuckles while grasping/clenching, photonic output from the fiberoptic cable would be reduced and detected by the photosensor, resultingin input commands being generated.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the processor 22 of controller 18 is also coupledto a memory 26, which stores processor-executable instructions that,when executed by processor 22, cause processor 22 to receive andevaluate input signals from the sensor 16. Controller 18 (i.e.,processor 22) evaluates the input signals to determine whether or notthey represent a command for the controlled device by assessing theinput signals for a signal pattern indicative of such a command. As morefully discussed below, if/when the processor 22 determines that theinput signals from sensor 16 represent the command for the controlleddevice, then processor 22 decodes the command and transmits anassociated control signal to the controlled device (not shown in thisview) via the control signal interface 24, and optionally transmits anactivation signal to the vibration motor 12. On the other hand, if theprocessor 22 determines that the input signals from sensor 16 do notrepresent the command for the controlled device, no control signal oractivation signal is transmitted and processor 22 proceeds to evaluatefurther/new input signals from the sensor 16 in a like manner. In oneembodiment, the activation signal for the vibration motor is a pulsewidth modulated signal. The haptic feedback provided by vibration motor12 may also be activated by another user (e.g., through a communicationto the wearer of activation accessory 10) to provide a means for silentcommunication.

In addition to the vibrational motor 12, a visual activation indicator50 may be present. Such a visual activation indicator, e.g., one or moreLEDs, may be coupled to receive a visual activation indication signalfrom the controller 18 (processor 22) and the processor-executableinstructions stored in memory 26, when executed by processor 22, mayfurther cause processor 22 to transmit the visual activation indicationsignal to the visual activation indicator 50 so as to illuminate the oneor more LEDs for a brief period of time if/when the processor 22determines that the input signals from the sensor 16 represent acommand. The visual activation indicator 50 may be located on headwearon which the activation accessory 10 is attached or integrated into, orelsewhere. An activation indicator of this kind is especially usefulwhen the activation accessory 10 is used to control devices such as PTTcontrollers/adapters associated with tactical radios or the radiosthemselves. When providing microphone actuation when using such radios,a “microphone status LED” may be included in visual activation indicator50 to provide a visual awareness of microphone condition. An indicatorlight would be visible when the microphone is in use (i.e., open) andwould be extinguished when the microphone is not in use (i.e., off).

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2F, various examples of controlled devices andarrangements for communicatively coupling same to the activationaccessory 10 are shown. As mentioned, the controlled device may be (orbe a part of) a wearable device in which the activation accessory isincorporated or attached to. In FIG. 2A, the controlled device is anillumination element 30 made up of one or more LEDs 32. As indicatedabove, the processor of controller 18 is coupled to the control signalinterface 24 and is adapted to transmit a control signal to thecontrolled device, in this case illumination element 30, via the controlsignal interface 24. Not shown in the illustration are drivers and otherinterface elements that may be present to amplify and/or otherwisecondition the control signal so that it is suitable for use with theillumination element 30.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example in which the activation accessory 10 iscoupled to a transmitter 34 via the control signal interface 24.Transmitter 34 may be a low power/short range transmitter, such as aBluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, infrared, WiFi HaLow(IEEE 802.22h), Z-wave, Thread, SigFox, Dash7, or other transmitter. Thetransmitter 34 may itself be the controlled device or, alternatively, asshown in FIG. 2D, the transmitter 34 may be one component of a wirelesscommunication system that includes a receiver 36 communicatively coupledto a controlled device, such as two-way radio 38. In such anarrangement, transmitter 34 is adapted for radio frequency communicationwith receiver 36 at the controlled device. Thus, the control signalissued by processor 22 of controller 18 is coupled to the control signalinterface 24 and transmitted via a radio frequency signal fromtransmitter 34 to the controlled device.

FIG. 2C shows a further alternative in which the activation accessory 10is coupled directly to two-way radio 36. In this example, the controlsignal interface 24 may be coupled to the two-way radio 36 by a cablehaving a plug configured to mate with a jack at the two-way radio 36(or, more generally, the controlled device). As such, the activationaccessory 10 may function as a push-to-talk (PTT) unit for the two-wayradio 36. Or, as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, the activation accessory 10may function as an ancillary PTT element for a PTT adapter 40 for thetwo-way radio 36. The connection between the activation accessory 10(control signal interface 24) and the PTT adapter 40 may be wired, asshown in FIG. 2E, e.g., using a cable having a plug configured to matewith a jack at the PTT adapter, or wireless, using atransmitter/receiver pair 34, 36. Of course, other arrangements forcommunicating the control signal produced by the processor 22 (or, moregenerally, controller 18) of the activation accessory 10 to a controlleddevice may be used.

In addition to the above-described examples, the processor 22 may alsocommunicate with and control other peripherals, such as a heads-updisplay, audio input/output unit, off-headset unit, etc. Processor 22 isa hardware-implemented module and may be a general-purpose processor, ordedicated circuitry or logic, such as a field programmable gate array(FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), or otherform of processing unit. Memory 26 may be a readable/writeable memory,such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, or otherstorage device.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the module 14 may be a separately wearablecomponent and may have an adhesive applied to a surface thereof toenable the wearable module 14 to be worn on the face or head of thewearer. Such an adhesive may, in one case, be in the form of aremoveable film 54 adhered to the surface of the wearable module 14.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the activation accessory 10 may be supported on atemple piece of eyewear 64. In particular, the activation accessory 10can be adhered to the inside of eyewear temple piece 66 or slipped overa temple piece and held by screws, in each case so as to allow themoveable actuator to contact the wearer's temple area when the eyewearis worn. This also provides a convenient location for vibration motor12. From this position on the user, when the processor of activationaccessory 10 detects volitional movements of the wearer's temporalmuscle and issues subsequent command signals, e.g., for activating,deactivating, or controlling a controlled device (e.g., changing thevolume of audio communications or music, turning on integrated lightingmodules, or answering a phone call), the vibration motor may beactivated to provide feedback that indicates successful recognition ofthe input command. As discussed below, a distinct “clench language” maybe programmed to control certain functions of the controlled deviceusing specific temporalis muscle clench sequences or patterns. Thevibration motor may also provide haptic feedback to the wearer asnotification of microphone status or other enabled systems. For example,light vibrations of the vibration motor in a specific pattern may alertthe wearer that a microphone is open, so as to prevent an “open-mic”situation where others are prevented from communicating over a commonchannel.

Further, additional sensors such as for wearer vital signs monitoringmay also be integrated into the temple 66 to provide remotebiomonitoring of the wearer, as the temple area has been proven to be aneffective location for sensing certain vital signs. Such sensors may beintegrated into the eyewear temples 66, permanently attached as anaccessory, or attached to the inside of the temple using adhesive tape,glue, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, screws, or a tongue and grooveor dovetail profile connection mechanism. The sensor signal may berouted through a powered cable/tether or via a wireless connection suchas Bluetooth or Near Field Magnetic Induction. In other embodiments, oneor more biomonitoring sensors 65 may be integrated onto/into a moveableactuator of the activation accessory 10, for example at a point ofcontact between the moveable actuator and the wearer's skin. FIG. 6illustrates examples of such sensors.

Eyewear and other supporting articles for an activation accessory mayfurther permit the use of two (or more) activation accessories by awearer, for example, one positioned on the left side of the wearer'shead or face and the other positioned on the right side of the wearer'shead or face. By providing both a left and right activation accessory(or any number of them) which may be configured to allow for input ofvarious command sequences (e.g., different numbers of activationssimilar to single-, double- or other mouse clicks), a wearer may providedifferent commands for an associated controlled device or multipledevices. For example, different command activation sequences may be usedfor zooming a camera, panning a direction in a virtual/visualenvironment, or a host of other commands to control cameras, audiotransmissions (volume up or down), etc.

In addition to biomonitoring sensors gyros and/or accelerometers (and/orother sensors) may be included in the activation accessory. The use ofgyros and/or accelerometers, etc., while clenching and holding can allowfor selecting and moving objects in a virtual field. This is similar toa click-and-hold followed by movement of a cursor with a mouse orjoystick in that it allows a user to move objects (e.g., icons) aroundon a virtual desktop, to open menus, and to select commands, etc. byclenching and moving one's head. The gyros and/or accelerometers may beincorporated in wearable module 14 or elsewhere (e.g., in a framesupporting the wearable module).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a wearable module 14′ that includes twosensors 16-1, 16-2. Each sensor is associated with a respective paddleswitch 56-1, 56-2, which can be depressed through a volitional action ofthe wearer. Depressing a paddle switch will cause its associated sensorto be activated.

In the various embodiments, activation accessory 10 is positioned sothat the moveable actuator contacts the wearer's head or face, over thetemporalis muscle so that clenching/flexing of the jaw activates thesensor 16. Power supply and control electronics for the activationaccessory 10 may be incorporated within the activation accessory 10itself, and/or in a frame, helmet, or other headwear that supports theactivation accessory 10 or elsewhere.

In the various embodiments, the moveable actuator 8 may be hingiblyattached to or within activation accessory 10, for example by aspring-loaded hinge that keeps the moveable actuator 8 against thewearer's head or face even when the wearer moves his/her head, unlessmoved away from the wearer's head/face by an amount sufficient to engagea detent that prevents return to a position adjacent a wearer's faceunless manually adjusted by the wearer. Such a hingible arrangement mayincorporate a spring-loaded hinge of any type, for example aspring-loaded piano hinge, butt hinge, barrel hinge, butterfly hinge,pivot hinge, or other arrangement. Other embodiments include the use ofa living hinge or an elastic/memory effect produced by wholly orpartially encapsulating the moveable actuator in an over-molded elasticpolymer which produces a stretchable membrane effect, and which alsoprovides water resistance.

As should be apparent from the above discussion, use of the activationaccessory does not require donning a headset or mask. Instead, theactivation accessory can be worn by itself, e.g., through use of anadhesive. Incorporating the activation accessory in headsets wouldtypically be the norm for any member of an aircraft flight or operationscrew, but headsets such as the one illustrated in the above-referencedfigures are not restricted to use by flight/aircraft crews and may beemployed by ground forces, naval/coast guard personnel, and civilians.For example, headsets such as the ones described herein may be employedby workers in and around constructions sites, sports arenas, film andtelevision production locations, amusement parks, and many otherlocations. By employing headgear equipped with activation accessoriessuch as those described herein, wearers thereof have ready access toactivation/deactivation/operation of illumination, imaging, gaming,and/or communications system(s)) in a hands-free fashion.

When assessing the input signals from the sensor(s) 16 for a signalpattern indicative of a command, the processor 22 may evaluate the inputsignals against a stored library of command signal representations,where each command signal representation characterizes an associatedcommand for the controlled device. Alternatively, or in addition, theinput signals may be assessed according to respective power spectraldensities thereof within specified time periods. Or the input signalsmay be assessed according to count values of the sensor(s) receivedwithin a specified time period. Still further, the input signals may beevaluated against a trained model of command signal representations,where each command signal representation characterizes an associatedcommand for the controlled device.

An example of an input signal received by processor 22 from a Halleffect sensor 16 is illustrated in FIG. 8 . Trace 72 depicts “counts” ofthe Hall effect sensor 16 received by processor 22 over time. In thiscontext, the counts, represent the applied magnetic field detected bythe Hall effect sensor 16 which varies with the movement of the moveableactuator 8 in response to jaw clench actions of the wearer. Other outputparameters that can be measured to provide similar results includevoltage and/or current. More generally, in embodiments of the presentinvention the activation accessory 10 includes one or more switchelements (Hall effect sensor(s) 16 or other(s) of the sensors discussedherein) that is/are sensitive to movements of a wearer's temporalismuscle and which are communicatively coupled to controller 18 havingprocessor 22 and memory 26 coupled thereto and storingprocessor-executable instructions. Processor 22 is further coupled toprovide an output signal to an indicator, such as illumination element50 and/or vibration motor 12. The activation accessory 10 may be fittedto a head- or face-worn article (e.g., a garment, headset, mask, oreyewear, as described herein) so as to be capable of being positioned toallow the moveable actuator(s) with the one or more switch elements tocontact a side of the wearer's head or face. The processor-executableinstructions stored in memory 26, when executed by processor 22, causethe processor to receive input signals from the one or more sensors,detect relaxed (signal level high in FIG. 9 ) and clenched (signal levellow) conditions (e.g., by level or edge detection of the input signals)of the wearer's jaw. From these input signals, processor 22 decodes therelaxed and clenched conditions as commands (74, 76, 78, etc.) forcontrolling electronic system components communicatively coupled to thecontroller and alerts the wearer to successful decoding of the commandsby providing the output signal to the indicator.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , trace 72 exhibits marked shifts in countvalues corresponding to periods of time when a wearer relaxes (signallevel high) and clenches (signal level low) his/her jaw while wearingactivation accessory 10. The detection of such actions by processor 22may be edge-sensitive or level-sensitive. Further, as indicated above,the Hall effect sensor signals may be decoded according to a clenchlanguage to discriminate between activation, deactivation, andoperational commands for the controlled device. The example shown inFIG. 8 represents decoded signals representing commands for anillumination unit. Signal groups 74 and 78, a short clench followed by along clench, represent activation (“on”) and deactivation (“off”)commands. That is, the illumination module is ordered to changeoperating state, from a current state on or off to an opposite state offor on, respectively, when such a set of input signals is recognized bythe processor 22. Signal group 76 represents a command to alter anoutput characteristic, e.g., brightness, and corresponds to two shortclenches followed by a long clench. The two short clenches signal achange in output and the long clench signals that the brightness of theillumination unit should be varied, e.g., low to high, during the periodof the clench action. Of course, other clench languages for a variety ofcontrolled devices may be implemented. For example, in addition todouble clench inputs signaling a following command input, triple clenchinputs may be recognized as signally valid command inputs, differentfrom commands associated with a double clench input. Further multipleclench inputs and/or clench-and-hold inputs may also be recognized assignifying different commands. Such multi-clench inputs are useful foreliminating unintentional actuations of Hall effect sensor 16, as may beoccasioned by involuntary muscle movements or by a wearer chewing food,gum, etc., or clenching his/her jaw during other activities. Generally,the intended command may be identified by decoding the detected relaxedand clenched conditions of the wearer's jaw according to a clenchlanguage that identifies such commands according to a number of detectedclench actions identified within a time period, for example, a number ofdetected short and long (clench-and-hold) clench actions identifiedwithin a time period. Valid forms of clench inputs may be used to turnon/off lighting elements and/or individual LEDs thereof, adjust theintensity of one or more illuminated LEDs, or to signal other desiredoperations. In general, clench input actuation sequence timings,repetitions, and durations may each be used, individually and/or incombination to specify different command inputs for one or morecontrolled devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 80 of operating a controlled device inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. At 82, thecontroller 18 receives from the Hall effect sensor 16 in the wearablemodule 14 first input signals. At 84, processor 22 of controller 18evaluates the first input signals according to and by executingprocessor-executable instructions stored in memory 26 to determinewhether or not the first input signals represent a command for thecontrolled device. As discussed above, this evaluation 84 proceeds bythe processor assessing 86 the first input signals for a signal patternindicative of a plurality of volitional jaw clench actions of a wearerof the activation accessory 10. If processor 22 determines that thefirst input signals represent the command, step 88, then processor 22decodes the command 90, e.g., by identifying the input signals as beingone of a number of patterns of a clench language, as described above,and transmitting 92 an associated control signal to the controlleddevice via a communication element communicably coupled to theprocessor, and, optionally, transmitting 94 an activation signal to avibration motor of the wearable module. As indicated above, thecommunication element may be a cable having a plug configured to matewith a jack at the controlled device, a transmitter adapted for radiofrequency communication with a receiver at the controlled device, orother element. Decoding the command signal may involve determining thenumber of short clench actions preceding a long clench action todetermine the nature of a following one or more long and/or short clenchactions, and may also depend on a current operating state of thecontrolled device. Otherwise, step 96, the processor 22 does nottransmit the control signal and the activation signal and insteadproceeds to evaluate second/next input signals 96 from the Hall effectsensor in a like manner as the first input signals.

In general, sensor 16 is a device that requires little or no mechanicaldisplacement of a control element associated with moveable actuator 8 inorder to signal or effect a change (or desired change) in state of acontrolled system. In various examples above, sensors such as a Halleffect sensor, an optical sensor, a contact sensor, a force-sensitivesensor, and a fiber optic compression sensor have been highlighted.Other sensors 16 which may be employed in accordance with the presentinvention include an EMG sensor or a piezo switch, such as the PiezoProximity Sensor produced by Communicate AT Pty Ltd. of Dee Why,Australia. Piezo switches generally have an on/off output stateresponsive to electrical pulses generated by a piezoelectric element.The electrical pulse is produced when the piezoelectric element isplaced under stress, for example as a result of compressive forcesresulting from movement of a moveable actuator 8 responsive to a wearerclenching his/her jaw so that pressure is exerted against thepiezoelectric element. Although the pulse is produced only when thecompressive force is present (e.g., when the wearer's jaw is clenched),additional circuitry may be provided so that the output state of theswitch is maintained in either an “on” or an “off” state until a secondactuation of the switch occurs. For example, a flip-flop may be used tomaintain a switch output logic high or logic low, with state changesoccurring as a result of sequential input pulses from the piezoelectricelement. One advantage of such a piezo switch is that there are nomoving parts (other than a front plate that must deform by a fewmicrometers each time a wearer's jaw is clenched) and the entire switchcan be sealed against the environment, making it especially useful formarine and/or outdoor applications.

Another example of a sensor 16 is a micro tactile switch. Althoughtactile switches employ mechanical elements subject to wear, for someapplications they may be more appropriate than Hall effect sensors orpiezo switches because they provide mechanical feedback to the user(although the haptic feedback provided by vibration motor 12 alsoprovides an acceptable level of feedback for a user and so may besufficient in the majority of instances). This feedback can provideassurance that the switch has been activated or deactivated. Momentarycontact tactile switches may also be used, but because they requirecontinual force (e.g., as provided by clenching one's jaw against theswitch), they are best suited to applications where only a momentary orshort engagement of the active element under the control of switch isdesired, for example, signal light flashes, burst transmissions, orother short duration applications, or where a flip flop is used tomaintain an output state until a subsequent input is received, asdiscussed above. Other forms of switches include a ribbon switch (e.g.,as made by Tapeswitch Corporation of Farmingdale, N.Y.) and conductiveprinted circuit board surface elements activated via carbon pucks on anoverlaid keypad.

As discussed above, in various embodiments the controlled device mayconsist of one or more LEDs, which emit light in one or morewavelengths. Examples of such LEDs may be the headlamp 1400 shown inFIGS. 10, 11, and 11A or headlight 1600 shown in FIG. 12 . In FIG. 10 ,the activation accessory is included in an accessory module 1000 thatcan be attached to an elastic or other (e.g., rigid) headband 1200 usedto secure the headlamp. FIG. 11B shows this headband arrangement unworn.In FIG. 11A, the activation accessory is included in the accessorymodule 1000, which also includes the headlamp. In FIG. 13 , thecontrolled device consists of an AR/VR headset 1800.

In still further embodiments the controlled device may include one ormore cameras for digital still and/or video imaging. In some instances,a lighting element may be worn on one side of the headset while animaging system is worn on the opposite side, each being controlled byseparate activation accessories mounted on respective opposite sides ofthe headset, or by activation accessory if the lighting and illuminationsystems are responsive to different command signals, similar to the wayin which computer cursor control devices (e.g., touch pads, mice, etc.)may be separately responsive to single, double, triple, or othermultiple clicks. Indeed, the activation accessory may itself be used tocontrol a cursor as part of a user-computer interface. For example, anyor all of cursor type, cursor movement, and cursor selection may becontrolled using an activation accessory 10 positioned so that themoveable actuator is flush against the wearer's face (or nearly so),over the area of the temporalis muscle so that clenching/flexing of thejaw activates the sensor 16 or other sensor. Applications for such usesinclude computer gaming interfaces, which today commonly includehead-worn communication equipment. One or more activation accessories 10configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be fittedto such headgear (either when manufactured or as an after-marketaddition) to provide cursor control capabilities. Conventional wired orwireless communication means may be employed to provide a connection toa console, personal computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other device thatserves as the gaming or other host. The use of such human-machineinterfaces may find particular application for users that have no orlimited use of their hands and afford them a convenient means ofinteracting with a personal computer, tablet, mobile phone, or similardevice.

Further, the controlled device(s) may include one or more microphones.Such microphones may be mounted or integral to a headset and make use ofbone conduction transducers for transmission of audio signals.Alternatively, or in addition, activation accessory 10 may be used toadjust the presence, absence, and/or volume of audio played through oneor more earphones or other earpieces. Also, activation accessory 10 maybe used to control off-headset equipment, for example, via a wirelesstransmitter.

One or more of the above-described embodiments may permit signalgeneration via a control surface that can be activated by direct orindirect force, hinged paddle, touch-sensitive surface, or other tactileactuation device. Devices configured in accordance with theseembodiments may employ moveable structures (e.g., paddles) that houseHall effect sensors to detect a change in an electromagnetic field whena corresponding magnet is moved in proximity to the sensor. Such devicesmay be in the form of an accessory to a remote (e.g., hand-held) deviceor fully integrated into a wearable form factor such as eyewear andheadsets. Other sensors, as discussed herein, may also be used.

By providing both a left and right activation means (or any number ofthem) which may be configured to allow for input of various commandsequences (e.g., different numbers of activations similar to single-,double- or other mouse clicks), a user may provide different commandsfor an associated device. For example, different command activationsequences may be used for zooming a camera, panning a direction in avirtual/visual environment, or a host of other commands to controlcameras, audio transmissions (volume up or down), etc.

Thus, systems and methods for operating a controlled device in ahands-free or other manner through volitional jaw clench actions of awearer, and in particular using an activation accessory for a controlleddevice that includes a moveable actuator, sensor (e.g., a Hall effect orother sensor), and a communication element have been described. Invarious embodiments, the present invention improves the functionality ofcontrollable electronic devices by providing improved hands-free andtactile input and control methods that cater to both fully abled anddisabled users, Moreover, because the moveable actuator of theactivation accessory has a range of travel between its fully extendedposition and fully compressed position, when worn on temple pieces ofeyewear and the like the activation accessory accommodates a widevariety of wearers, e.g., those with wide or thin faces, those with orwithout facial hair, etc. The position of the moveable actuator when theactivation accessory, or an instrumentality in which it ispositioned/included, is donned may contribute to an initial outputsignal of the sensor, but this initial signal can be taken as a baselinevalue and accommodated when analyzing the output signal of the sensorfor commands. The baseline value may be continually or periodicallyadjusted by sampling the output of the sensor so as to accommodatemovements of the activation accessory (e.g., the moveable actuator) thatare not intended command inputs. Beyond jaw clenching, an input signalcan be produced manually by tapping or pressing the activation accessoryor an instrumentality in which it is positioned/included at a locationthat causes the moveable actuator to first be compressed then extended,or conversely, for it to first be extended then compressed. The sensorcan detect if the tapping or pressing is generated from the right orleft side of a head-worn device depending on whether it first detectscompression or extension of the moveable actuator surface whentapping/pressing force is applied. The moveable actuator allows forvarying levels of input by detecting movement (e.g., travel, speed,duration, etc.) of the moveable actuator caused by clenching, tapping,or pressing, from very light to very hard. While described withreference to eyewear and similar articles, the activation accessory maybe worn on/with other wearables that feature a flexible or rigid band(e.g., AR/VR headsets), the inside surface of which defines a planealongside the wearer's face/head or other wearable bands that defineother planes when worn on other parts of the body (e.g., wristbands,etc.). Any such wearable will permit the moveable actuator to be movedwith respect to the sensor, allowing the sensor to output signalsresponsive to the wearer moving/flexing associated muscles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for operating a controlled device,comprising: a module including a sensor and a moveable actuator, thesensor configured to produce output signals according to a relativeposition of the actuator, and the module adapted to be worn on a personof a wearer by attachment to a headband of an augmented reality (AR) orvirtual reality (VR) headset or a temple piece of a pair of spectacles;a controller coupled to receive the output signals from the sensor andincluding a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memorystoring processor-executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to receive and evaluate the outputsignals of the sensor to determine whether or not the output signals ofthe sensor represent a command for the controlled device by assessingthe output signals of the sensor for a signal pattern indicative of oneor more volitional actions of the wearer of the module, and when theprocessor determines that the output signals of the sensor represent thecommand for the controlled device, then decoding the command for thecontrolled device and transmitting a control signal to the controlleddevice via a communication element, otherwise if the processordetermines that the output signals of the sensor do not represent thecommand, then not transmitting the control signal and proceeding toevaluate further output signals of the sensor; and the communicationelement communicatively coupled to receive the control signal from theprocessor and to transmit the control signal to the controlled device.2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vibration motorcommunicably coupled to receive an activation signal from the processor,and wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to transmit the activation signalwhen the processor determines that the output signals of the sensorrepresent the command for the controlled device.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the module is adapted to mount on the headband of the AR orVR headset so as to be moveable with respect to the headband.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the module is adapted to mount on theheadband of the AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair ofspectacles, as applicable, such that the moveable actuator is adjacentthe wearer's skin when the module is worn on the person of the wearer.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions,when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to evaluatethe output signals from the sensor by evaluating the output signalsagainst a stored library of command signal representations, where eachcommand signal representation of the stored library of command signalrepresentations characterizes an associated command for the controlleddevice.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, further cause theprocessor to evaluate the output signals from the sensor according topower spectral densities output signals from the sensor within specifiedtime periods.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, further cause theprocessor to evaluate the output signals from the sensor according tocount values of the sensor received within a specified time period. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions,when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to evaluatethe output signals from the sensor against a trained model of commandsignal representations, where each command signal representation of themodel characterizes an associated command for the controlled device. 9.The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable actuator is configured to bedisplaceable relative to the headband of the AR or VR headset or thetemple piece of the pair of spectacles, as applicable.
 10. A system foroperating a controlled device, comprising: a module including a sensorand a moveable actuator, the sensor configured to produce output signalsaccording to a relative position of the actuator to the sensor, themodule adapted to be worn on a person of a wearer by attachment to aheadband of an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) headset ora temple piece of a pair of spectacles, and the moveable actuatorconfigured to be displaceable relative to the sensor in a first planedifferent from a second plane defined by a width of the headband of theAR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair of spectacles, asapplicable; a controller coupled to receive the output signals from thesensor and including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor,the memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to receive and evaluate the outputsignals of the sensor to determine whether or not the output signals ofthe sensor represent a command for the controlled device by assessingthe output signals of the sensor for a signal pattern indicative of oneor more volitional actions of the wearer of the module, and when theprocessor determines that the output signals of the sensor represent thecommand for the controlled device, then decoding the command for thecontrolled device and transmitting a control signal to the controlleddevice via a communication element, otherwise if the processordetermines that the output signals of the sensor do not represent thecommand, then not transmitting the control signal and proceeding toevaluate further output signals of the sensor; and the communicationelement communicatively coupled to receive the control signal from theprocessor and to transmit the control signal to the controlled device.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second plane is approximatelyparallel to a portion of the wearer's head in a location proximate tothe module when worn by the wearer.
 12. The system of claim 11 furthercomprising a vibration motor communicably coupled to receive anactivation signal from the processor, and wherein theprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,further cause the processor to transmit the activation signal when theprocessor determines that the output signals of the sensor represent thecommand for the controlled device.
 13. The system of claim 11, whereinthe processor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,further cause the processor to evaluate the output signals from thesensor by evaluating the output signals against a stored library ofcommand signal representations, where each command signal representationof the stored library of command signal representations characterizes anassociated command for the controlled device.
 14. The system of claim11, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to evaluate the output signalsfrom the sensor according to power spectral densities output signalsfrom the sensor within specified time periods.
 15. The system of claim11, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to evaluate the output signalsfrom the sensor according to count values of the sensor received withina specified time period.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein theprocessor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,further cause the processor to evaluate the output signals from thesensor against a trained model of command signal representations, whereeach command signal representation of the model characterizes anassociated command for the controlled device.
 17. The system of claim11, wherein the module is adapted to mount on the headband of the AR orVR headset or the temple piece of the pair of spectacles, as applicable,such that the moveable actuator is adjacent the wearer's skin when themodule is worn on the person of the wearer.
 18. The system of claim 11,wherein the second plane is approximately orthogonal to the first plane.19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a vibration motorcommunicably coupled to receive an activation signal from the processor,and wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to transmit the activation signalwhen the processor determines that the output signals of the sensorrepresent the command for the controlled device.
 20. The system of claim18, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to evaluate the output signalsfrom the sensor by evaluating the output signals against a storedlibrary of command signal representations, where each command signalrepresentation of the stored library of command signal representationscharacterizes an associated command for the controlled device.
 21. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the processor-executable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, further cause the processor to evaluate theoutput signals from the sensor according to power spectral densitiesoutput signals from the sensor within specified time periods.
 22. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the processor-executable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, further cause the processor to evaluate theoutput signals from the sensor according to count values of the sensorreceived within a specified time period.
 23. The system of claim 18,wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, further cause the processor to evaluate the output signalsfrom the sensor against a trained model of command signalrepresentations, where each command signal representation of the modelcharacterizes an associated command for the controlled device.
 24. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the module is adapted to mount on theheadband of the AR or VR headset or the temple piece of the pair ofspectacles, as applicable, such that the moveable actuator is adjacentthe wearer's skin when the module is worn on the person of the wearer.